Collins pointed out how the Spurs, with an older Big Three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, are different in that they have kept these players together. He also said that the Spurs, winners of four titles under coach Gregg Popovich, are similar to a certain football team in New England.

“He’s a brilliant coach,” Collins said. “And he’s got three core guys that have been with him through thick and thin. And if you notice, they always keep those three and Pop’ together, and that’s that stability

“I think Pop’ would be the first one to tell you how blessed he has been,” Collins continued. “Those three guys and David Robinson and you’ve got years of success. “He’s won four championships – that doesn’t happen by accident. He’s one of the best coaches ever, and they do it in a market that loves this team.”

And then Collins made the comparison to the Patriots in terms of their longevity.

“Over the last 10-12 years the two franchises that have done that are the New England Patriots and the San Antonio Spurs,” he said. “They have been models about what it’s all about to build a team. They stay strong, and they have been very fortunate that those three guys have been healthy for the most part. They’ve got a great coach, a great owner and they don’t panic.”

Collins pointed out how the Spurs, with an older Big Three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, are different in that they have kept these players together. He also said that the Spurs, winners of four titles under coach Gregg Popovich, are similar to a certain football team in New England.

“He’s a brilliant coach,” Collins said. “And he’s got three core guys that have been with him through thick and thin. And if you notice, they always keep those three and Pop’ together, and that’s that stability

“I think Pop’ would be the first one to tell you how blessed he has been,” Collins continued. “Those three guys and David Robinson and you’ve got years of success. “He’s won four championships – that doesn’t happen by accident. He’s one of the best coaches ever, and they do it in a market that loves this team.”

And then Collins made the comparison to the Patriots in terms of their longevity.

“Over the last 10-12 years the two franchises that have done that are the New England Patriots and the San Antonio Spurs,” he said. “They have been models about what it’s all about to build a team. They stay strong, and they have been very fortunate that those three guys have been healthy for the most part. They’ve got a great coach, a great owner and they don’t panic.”

No team is like the San Antonio Spurs. Since 89-90, they have only been under 50 wins 4 times. That is going on 24 years. One was the lockout year of 99 when they were on pace for 62, one was the year we got the Duncan pick, and the other 2 were 47 and 49 win seasons in 91-92 and 92-93. Compare the Spurs to the Patriots? No one compares to San Antonio.

No team is like the San Antonio Spurs. Since 89-90, they have only been under 50 wins 4 times. That is going on 24 years. One was the lockout year of 99 when they were on pace for 62, one was the year we got the Duncan pick, and the other 2 were 47 and 49 win seasons in 91-92 and 92-93. Compare the Spurs to the Patriots? No one compares to San Antonio.

No team is like the San Antonio Spurs. Since 89-90, they have only been under 50 wins 4 times. That is going on 24 years. One was the lockout year of 99 when they were on pace for 62, one was the year we got the Duncan pick, and the other 2 were 47 and 49 win seasons in 91-92 and 92-93. Compare the Spurs to the Patriots? No one compares to San Antonio.

Quite so on many levels.

People tend to forget that no NBA team since the ABA merger has had fewer "lottery teams" than the Spurs, fewer than the Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, etc.( Caveat: OKC doesn't count in my book) Only four Spur lottery teams total if I remember correctly and most came after Ice left and before DROB arrived. We've always drafter higher than most teams because of being in the playoffs year after year and look at our cumulative success. Pretty damn remarkable....and largely ignored considering the Spurs were the singular ABA merger team that the NBA really didn't want to include in the final merger because we were an even smaller TV market back then. Thank goodness for owner, the late Angelo Drossos who also was primarily responsible for the NBA implementing the 3 pt. play into the rules against Red Auerbach's determined desire not to and also to minimize the ABA legacy.

Kobe Bryant has been on one lotto tam already and possibly a second this year (LAKERS SUCK), they have had five lotto teams since the merger plus all the "Stern Lakers vs Lakers Finals'' gifts".

74: The Spurs' narrow escape Wednesday night against the Lakers knotted the all-time series between the teams at 74 wins apiece in regular-season play. You have to rewind to December 27, 1985, for the last time these teams were even, when the series was tied at 21 wins each. The Spurs are now the only active franchise with a winning percentage of .500 or higher or higher in the regular season against each of the NBA's other 29 active teams. The Lakers, meanwhile, are now 0-6 this season against the West's top four teams.

IF only the Spurs were allowed to get few mistakes corrected from some refs in PO
--Example: .04 shot not allowed.... Foul on Fish and Barry goes to the line for two or three.... And few other calls made in OKC last year vs. Spurs.... Spurs could have gone winning much more titles in This HISTORICAL Tim Duncan + Manu + TP and HOF Coach Pop...